Cabinet-type safety switch-panel



W. F. ONEILL.

CABINET TYPE SAFETY SWITCH PANEL. 'APPLICATION FILED APR. 20. 1918.

1,313,555, PatentedAug. 19,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

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CABINET TYPE SAFETY SWITCH PANEL.

APPLICATION man APR. 20. 1918.

1,3 1 3,555. Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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INVENTOR WILLIAM F. ONEILIQOI' WILKINSBUBG, PENNBYLVANIL.

CABINET-TYPE SAFETY SWITCH-PANEL,

lpeomoation of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 19,1919.

Application and April a0, 1915. Serial in. 229,543.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM F. ONEILL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Wilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have made a. new and useful Invention in Cabinet-Type Safety Switch-Panels, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to safety switch panels and particularly to those of the cablnet type.

An object of this invention is to provide a simple, safe and eflicient switch panel of the cabinet type in which the main switch, the bus bars and the fuses are normally out of reach of those operating the series of switches.

A further object is to provide in a safety panel of the above type adouble doored front; one door whereby access to the series of switches is gained and one whereby ac: cess to the fuses and the bus bars is gained.

These, as well as other objects which will readily appear to those skilled in this art, I attain in the construction described in the specification and illustrated in the drawlngs accompanying and forming a part of th1s application.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a switch panel embodying this invention, the view being taken on lme 1-1, Fig. 2. Fig. 2 isa view in cross sectlon of the panel taken on line 22 of Fig, 1. Fig. 3' IS a view in front elevation. of said panel and Fig. 4 is a view in section of the double doors forthe front thereof. The panel consists of a base 5 made of insulating material such as slate, provided with upstanding sides 6, 6

and upstanding ends 7, 7 of the same material; a casing 8 surrounds the panel and between the sides and ends thereof and the sides and ends of the panel a space 9 is provided which serves as a cable conduit,

Bus bars 10, 11 and 12 extend lengthwise of the panel at its center and are secured to the base 5. The buses are connected to the live wires by means of a knife switch 13 face 18 of the panel housing. A rounded bead-30 preferably spot welded to the main cover extends over the joint between the cover and the housing front and the cover is manipulated by means of a handle 19 operatmg a bolt 20. A look 21 is provided for bolt 20.

= The outer or main cover 16 is provided with an opening surrounded by downwardly depending side flanges 22 and end flan es 23. The side flanges segregate the switciies 14 from the fuses on either side thereof and prevent access to the fuses when the main cover 16 is locked. The end flanges and side flanges are preferably jointed together at their ends to form a continuous rectangular flange and the end flanges are provided with inturned portions to which by means of screws 24 a shield 25 of insulating material such as fiber is secured. The screws are preferably located at the center of the shield and do not project through the same; shield 25 preferably projects a slight distance beyond ends 23. It will be seen that when the main cover 16 is locked those having access only to the panel through the inner or operating door 26 cannot reach either the main switch 13, the bus bars, the fuses or any other live metal parts.

Inner door 26 by means of hinges 27 is hinged to the main door 16. Door-26 is preferably provided with a latch 28 of any suitable construction. strips 29 are utilized to cover the joint between the main and operating doors.

As panels of this type are used in such places as schools and factory buildings, it is not only desirable but necessary that those (often children) operating the switches 14: should not have access to the live portions of the panel; such portions should only be accessible to the engineer or those of proper knowledge.

It is desirable in panels of this type that the overall depth be kept down to the minimum and yet it is necessary to provide certain clearances in order to comply with the underwriters requirements. From the construction here illustrated it will be seen that while/the depth of the combined panel and cabinet is relatively shallow the clearances between the live portions and the metal parts are all that is required.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is LTh combination with a base member having raised sides and ends, centrally located bus bars, a row of switches on each Rounded finishing side thereof, fuses located beyond said switches, a cover for preventing access to said bars and fuses and provided with a depending flange surrounding said switches, a shield carried by said cover covering said buses and a door hinged to said cover permitting access to said switches.

2. The combination with a base member trally of said base, a series of switches located on each side of said buses and a series of fuses located between said switches and the sides of said panel, a front cover for said panel provided with a depending flange surrounding said switches, a shield secured to the end portions of said flange and extending above said bus bars and a door hinged to said cover closing the opening with said flange.

4. The combination with a base having upstanding sides and ends formed of insulating material, a metal housing surrounding said panel and spaced therefrom on the sides and ends to form cable conduits, a main cover for said housing provided with an opening therein surrounded by a depending flange, bus bars secured to said panel and extending centrally of said opening, switches located on either side of said bus bars and within the space bounded by said depending flange, fuses secured to said panel .on either side of said switches and outside switches located on either side of said bus bars and within the space bounded by said depending flange, fuses secured to said panel on either side of said switches and outside of said depending flange, an 1nsulating shield covering said bus bars and secured to the end portions of said depending flange and a door hinged to said cover for closing said opening.

6. The combination with a base member formed of insulating material, centrally located bus bars, a series of switches on each side thereof, fuses located beyond, said switches, a cover for preventin access to said bars and fuses and provide with a depending flange surrounding said switches, a shield carried by said cover covering said bus es and a door hinged to said cover permitting access to said switches.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 16th day of April, 1918. WILLIAM F. ONEILL. 

